Machine Building

Applications

Craftsman Tools switch coolant for all metal-cutting operations

Craftsman Tools, a supplier of precision toolholding, workholding and subcontract machining services, has replaced its existing coolant with TRIM SC516 from Master Chemical for all CNC milling, turning and grinding operations. Heavy misting issues that were causing throat and hand irritation have been completely eliminated following the change. Furthermore, Craftsman Tools now uses only half as much coolant, subsequently reducing its costs by around 50 per cent.

1st April 2014

Retrofit drives future efficiencies

Diesel engine manufacturer Cummins Ltd was looking to improve its engine test facility to meet customer quality and delivery requirements, so it turned to a combination of Siemens Industry and Siemens Solution Partner, Cleveland Systems for help. Now, thanks to the specification of a full electrical and software design and installation of a new and integrated drive and automation control system, Cummins is benefitting from high test cell availability levels, increased reliability and much improved diagnostics for what is an essential part of its daily production requirements.

31st March 2014

NTC thermistor helps warm water-filled electric radiators

Heat Electric is an independent British company based in Halifax that manufactures and sells a wide range of water-filled electric radiators. Powered by electricity and with a self-contained mini-boiler and pump, these innovative and convenient wall-mounted room heaters have a very modern styling and are sold as economic replacements for storage heaters, oil-filled radiators and gas-fired water-based heating systems. Variohm EuroSensor has worked with Heat Electric for several years and supplies customised {b-NTC thermistors as part of the control system that includes a built-in thermostat for cost-effective controllability.}

26th March 2014

NSK's Molded-Oil bearings deliver savings for paper manufacturer

Every production line demands reliability in order to maximise efficiency and keep lost production time to a minimum. While proper planned maintenance is an effective tool, it can be expensive if equipment requires very frequent intervention. One option is to ensure that the equipment is fitted with components which are fit for purpose. For example, a large paper manufacturer was experiencing loss of production due to seized bearings on a tinting machine with annual costs of nearly EUR50,000 - a problem that has been solved by NSK.

25th March 2014

Advanced Industrial Devices uses Unitronics as "go-to" PLC

Advanced Industrial Devices specialises in building master control panels for all types of industrial equipment. While the control can be as simple as a relay system, it can also be a much more sophisticated electronic product - it depends on what the customers want and need. Keith Walker of AID syas: "Our go-to PLC control is the Unitronics for many reasons. One of the consistent themes is the wide range of available products and price structures."

24th March 2014

ATM assembly systems enhance component tracking & traceability

The "demand driven" nature of the automotive supply chain, where there are increasing levels of personalisation within a vehicle, means that the suppliers to the major OEM's now require automation with greater levels of flexibility and higher levels of machine intelligence to handle the number of variants that need to be produced. ATM's latest assembly systems, used to produce a variety of Jaguar / Land Rover interior trim components, now incorporate multiple technologies including machine vision, 1 and 2 D bar code scanners and an array of other sensors and scanners to verify and validate each and every operation as the build sequence progresses.

24th March 2014

Investment in new conveyor chain improves production in bakeries

Bread production is very competitive in terms of production costs. Highly automated processes are used to reduce overall operating costs and maintenance costs are kept to tight budgets. The failure of a conveyor chain in the last part of the production process can have very significant knock-on effects for overall productivity and efficiency. One group of bakeries has engaged Tsubaki to provide a more reliable conveyor chain to help reduce costs associated with lost production and maintenance.

24th March 2014

Croft Filters drives design innovation for MSubs

Submersibles and underwater equipment manufacturer, MSubs, has been able to maximise the operational efficiency of a custom designed subsea chemical processing skid, thanks to an innovative filter panel system provided by Croft Filters.

24th March 2014

Blast furnace benefits from upgraded condition monitoring

Sensonics has supplied 15 Senturion proximity probes and a Sentry G3 monitoring and protection system for a project to update the condition monitoring of blast furnace turbo-blowers at the SSI steelworks in Redcar.

21st March 2014

Kistler strain sensors monitor welding of 'difficult' materials

Manufacturer of resistance welding technology, Sciaky Electric Welding Machines Ltd, is using Kistler piezoelectric strain sensors to meet the demands of the aerospace industry for the precise monitoring of the welding process. The Kistler strain sensors are easier to fit, simpler to replace, more reliable and longer lasting than the load cells previously used.

21st March 2014